Mechanically controlled electric bed



1959 v. L. DARNELL ETAL MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRIC BED 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1957 Nov. 17, 1959 -v. DARNELL ETAL I 2,913,300

MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRIC BED Filed July 26, 1957 GSheets-Sheet 2 HTTOE/VEYS- Nov. 17, 1959 v. DARNELL ETAL MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRIC BED 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 'July 26, 1957 M INVENTORS. My

Nov. 17, 1959 v. DARNELL ETAL 2,913,300

MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRIC BED Filed July 26; 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS.

E1 7 wed wmmiqim Nov. 17, 1959 v. L. DARNELL EI'AL 2,913,300

MECHANICALLY CCNTRCLLED ELECTRIC BED Filed July 26. 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 n free/v6 Y5- Nov. 17, 1959 v. L. DARNELL EI'AL ,9 0

MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRIC BED 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed. July 26, "1957 was.

M i W III IN V 15 1412 ATTOKHEYS.

2,913,300 MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRIC'BED Victor L. Darnell, Spring Valley, Ohio, and Francis J. Burst, Batesviile, lnd., assignors to Hill-Rom Company, Inc., Batesville, Ind, a corporation of Indiana Application July 26, 1957, Serial No. 674,407 I 11 Claims. (or. -68) This invention relates to mechanical beds, and particularly to hospital type beds in which the bed proper can be raised and lowered, and parts thereof such as the head rest portion and the knee rest portion independently raised and lowered, in the interest of greater comfort and convenience. i

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of mechanical beds, whereby such beds may not only be. economically manufactured, but will be more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications, and be unlikely to get out of order.

A further object of this invention is to provide for power operation in a bed as described, the application of power being under the control of simple, easily operated control elements assembled on a panel accessible to the hand of a person reclining on the, bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bed unitarily comprising a power source, manual controls therefor, and connections from the power source to the bed proper for the raising and lowering thereof and to portions of the bed for independent raising and lowering thereof.

A further object of the invention, in a bed asdescribed having separate manual controls by which respective power operations of the bed are accomplishedpis'to provide for an interlock between such controls, whereby :to prevent the operation of more than one of the control elements at a time;

A further object of the invention is to provide for limit controls in the raising and lowering of the bedand of theparts thereof, to preclude misoperation resulting from over travel or over extension of the parts of the bed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a generally new power operation of a bed as described, utilizing a reversible electric motor, a plurality of drives from the motor to the parts of the bed to be actuated, and intermediate controls between the described control panel and such drives to render effective a selected drive mechanism and to energize the motor for rotation in a selected direction. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical bed possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention .intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in' the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents. Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention, g Fig. 1 is a top plan view, with some parts omitted, of a bed structure in accordance with the illustrated em bodiment. of the invention;-

Fig. 2 is a view in side "elevation of the structure. of Fig. l;

'Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in longitudinal section, showing extensible and retractable means for raising and lowering the bed proper, and showing also limit control means associated therewith;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, enlarged with respect to Fig. 1, showing a series of cam plates constitutingintermediate controls between the manual control panel andthe electric motor whereby the motor is selected for rotationin a certain direction and a portion of the bed is selected for raising or lowering thereof;

Fig. 5 is a detail view in longitudinal section, showing means for restoring the cam plates to a neutral position in the event of over travel of the selected portion ofthe bed;

Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation of the control panel, the cover plate therefor being omitted;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the panel of Fig. 6, showing the levers operated by the control elements on the panel; Fig. 8 is a detail view of the drive from the motor to the operating parts of the bed, including the selectively, operable clutch mechanism; e

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view looking down on the transmission unit with the clutch operating mecha nism removed;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1010 of Fig. 1, further detailing the telescopic sleeve and screw shaft which adjusts the head rest portion of the bed; i

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--1 1 of Fig. 6, further illustrating the interlock mechanism of the control unit; a V 7 p Fig. 12 is a sectional view. taken along line 1212 of Fig. 4, further illustrating the actuating rods and levers which operate the switches and clutches for selectively controlling the bed in response to the manually operated levers of the control unit. V "1 Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the severalviews;

Referring to Figs; 1 and 2 of the drawings, a bedin accordance with the'illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises. a substantially rigid frame made up of, side rails 10 and 11, a plurality of transverse cross bars, including bars 12, 13, 14 and 15, and cornerposts 16 made fast to the ends of the side rails and constructed as cylinders to fit over and be reciprocable upon relatively a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) serves to corf clockwise direction. serves t6 rock the angle member 25, in a similar direction, to elevate, the spring frame portion;

stationary legs 17 adapted to rest upon the floor. In overlying, parallel relation to the side rails 10 and 11 isv a spring frame 18.. The'latter comprises a head rest portion 19 which is supported at least in part upon an angle piece 21, and further comprises leg and foot rest portions 22 and 23 joined together in a jointed coupling 24 and supported at least in part by an angle member 25. The angle members'Zl and 25 extend in opposite directions from what may be considered the seat portion of the. frame 18 as defined by uprightplates 26 (one shown) made fast to respective side rails 10 and 11 The plates,

26 provide a mounting for pair of transversely extends ing shafts 27 and 28 to which the angle members 21' 25 respectively are secured. -Rotation of the shaft 27 in respondingly rockor to raise the angle'member 21. The result is to elevate the head rest portion 19 of the spring frame 18, as to the position indicated in broken lines in Fig. 2.v 'Similarly, a rotation of the shaft 28 in a counter:

22. This motion is' accomplished substantially relatively to the portion 23 by virtue of flexure at the joint 24 so: that in an elevated or raised position of the angle mem; ber 25; the leg and foot rest portions 22 and 23 of the Patented Nov. 17, 1959,

spring frame assume an angular position providing for the patient a knee rest.

The head rest portion 19 of the spring frame may, as indicated, be pivotally connectedatits one end to the side frames'26, as indicated at 29 (Fig. 2), and rest at its opposite end upon the side rails and 11, as through studs 30. Similarly, the leg restportion 22 may be pivotally connected at its inner end to the side frame 26, as at 31, while the outer end of the foot rest portion 23 rests upon the side rails of the bed through studs 32.

The assembly comprising side rails 10 and Eli and their cross bars, posts 16, spring frame 18, angle members '21 and 25, and side bracketsy26 is thus capable of being raised and lowered as a unit upon the legs 17, as explained later. Further, the head rest portion 19 of the frame 18 and the leg rest portion 22 thereof are additionally and independently capable of raising and lowering movements, in a rocking or tilting sense about the pivot points 29 and 31. In accordance with the instant inventive concept, these movements are accomplished selectively and under power operation, the source of power being a reversible electric motor 33 (Fig. 1) stationarily mounted upon cross bars 12 and 13 to move with the bed proper in its raising and lowering motions but stationary relative to the tilting adjustments of the parts of the frame 18. V

The means for raising and lowering the bed support includes flexible cables 34, 35, 36 and 37 (Fig. 1). At one end thereof each cable extends toward a corner of the bed and is passed over a pulley wheel 38 rotatably mounted in a bracket 39 secured to a respective post 16. Continuing beyond the pulley wheel 38, the described end of the cable enters the cylindrical post and within such post is anchored to the leg 17 received therein. The

opposite end of each cable is passed around one of two pairs of pulleys 40 and 41 located in the center of the bed and enters one end of a relatively stationary tube 42 (Figs. 2 and 3) and is there anchored to the front of a nut 43 on a screw shaft 44. The pulleys of each pair 40 and 41 are in superposed relation on 'a vertically disposed-stud shaft 45 installed in a cage 46 dependent from the central cross bars 14 and 15. The flexible cables are similarly arranged in pairs 3435 and 36.37. Thus, the cables 34 and 36 are passed around the lower ones of the pulleys 40 and 41 and extend to what may be considered to be the head posts ofthe bed. The cables 35 and 37 are passed around the upper ones of the pairs of pulleys and extend toward what may be considered the foot posts of the bed. The tube '42 is relatively stationary in the assembly, abutting at its opposite ends the cage 46- and a plate 47 dependent from the cross bar 13. Similarly, the screw shaft 44 is rotatably journalled in the tube and is held against relative axial motion. One end thereof is mounted in a stationary transverse wall 48 in the tube while the other end is received in a bearing assembly 49 and pinned to a sleeve 51 for rotation therewith, the sleeve 51 abutting the dependent plate 47 and being in driving connection with the shaft of a gear box 66, as explained later. Accordingly, the nut 43 normally is held against motion along the shaft 44 or in the longitudinal axis of the shaft whereby to provide an anchor for the several cables 34 37. "Through the pulley wheels 38, the bed support in effect rests upon the cables and it will be understood that the 'bed support may be raised and lowered by relativeextending and retracting motions of the nut 43 along the shaft 44. Itfurther will be understood that-this is accomplished by a relative rotary motion of the screw, shaft which when turned in onedirection retracts the nut 43 thereon to pull upon the cables 34 37 to compel an elevating motion of the bed and which when turned 'in the other direction permits thebed to-lower under influence of its .own'weight.

Themeans for elevating the head rest portion 19 of the bed includes a tube 52 (Figs. 1, 2 and 10) connected at its one end to a pair of arms 53 made. fas en llhe cured to the shaft.

l 4 transverse shaft 27 to which the angle support member 21 is fixed. The other end of the tube 52 telescopically receives a screw shaft 54 which is in threaded engagement with a nut 55 connected as by transverse pins. 56 to the tube 52 for rotation therewith. Rotation of the screw shaft 54 in opposite directions accordingly results in relative extending and retracting motions of the tube 52 and thereby in elevating and lowering motions of the head rest 19. A maximum travel limit for the tube 52 is defined by a sleeve 57 pinned to the interior of the tube and in non-threaded engagement with the screw shaft, and by a shoulder 58 formed integrally with or suitably se- One end of the screw shaft 54 terminates within the tube 52. The other end thereof extends outside the tube and is connected to a part 59 of a universal joint further including a sleeve 61. Sleeve 61 abuts the plate 47 and is also in driving connection with the gear box 66, as explained later. Elevation and lowering of the leg rest portion 22 is similarly accomplished by like means including a tube 62 (Figs. 1 and 2) pivotally connected atits one end to arms 63 on the shaft 28 and receiving at its other end a screw shaft 64 capable of receiving rotary motion through a universal joint including a sleeve 65. Sleeve 65 also abuts the plate 47 and is in driving connection with the gear box 66.

Power driving connections are taken from the motor 33 individually tothe screw shafts 44, 54 and 64. At one end of the motor 33 is a gear box 66 from which projects a center shaft 67 and parallel flanking shafts 68 and 69 (Figs. 8 and 9). The shaft 67 is adapted to be received in and rotatively to drive the sleeve 51 of tube 42, which is associated with the mechanism for raising and lowering the bed proper (-Fig. 3). The shaft 68 is adapted to be received in and rotatively to drive the sleeve 61 of tube 52, which is associated with the mechanism for raising and lowering the head rest 19 (Fig. 10). The shaft 69 is adapted to be received in and rot'atively to drive the sleeve 65 of tube 62, which is associated with the mechanism for raising and lowering the leg rest 22 (Fig. 2). The shafts 68 and 69 are mounted in bearings in the front plate of the case 66, and in an intermediate portion 70 thereof. They have relatively rotatively mounted therei on respective gears 71 and 72 in common meshing engagement with a gear 73 which is keyed or otherwise secured to-a shaft 74, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Shaft 74 has an axial bore providing a pilot bearing which rotatably journals an end portion of shaft 67, such that the two shafts may rotate relative to one another when uncoupled. The described inner end of the shaft 67 seats on a thrust bearing 75 in the bore of shaft 74. The shaft 74 has a rotary mounting in a bearing 76 which is in the intermediate wall 70 between the gear case 66 and an extension 78 thereof fastened to the motor housing. A rotary drive shaft 79 extends from the motor housing into the gear box extension 78 and rotatively drives a train of gears 81, 82 and 83, the latter of which iskeyed to the end portion 84 of shaft 74 (Fig. 8). In

accordance with the construction and arrangement of parts, therefore, when the motor 33 is energized and operating the shaft 79 is in continuous rotation, and so serves continuously to rotate the shaft 74 and through it the gears 73, 71 and 72. The last described gears are selectively connected in driving relation to their respective shafts 67,68 and 69 through clutching means of which only one will be described since all are the same. Thus, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 on the front face of the gear 73 is a clutch face 85 cooperable with a complementaryface 86,0n the adjacent end of a sleeve 87 mounted on the shaft 67 and keyed or otherwise secured thereto for unison rotation. A collar 88 is mounted on the sleeve 87 for unison rotation and there is interposed between the collar 88 and the clutchface 86 a compression spring 89. The collar; 88' is engaged by the forked end of a yoke 91 (Fig. 8), the other end of which is secured to a stub shaft 92 having one end received within a bearing plate 93 in the gear box 66 and the other end passed through an integral bearing wall 94 of the gear case. A compression spring 95 surrounds the shaft 92 and is interposed between the plate 93 and the opposite end of the yoke 91 in such manner as to cause the yoke normally to limit against the partition 94. With the parts so positioned, the clutch faces 85 and 86 are disengaged. An axial motion of the shaft 92 within plate 93 and against the urging of spring 95 will cause a longitudinal motion of the collar 88 relatively to the sleeve 87 with the result that, acting through the spring 89, the clutch face 86 is placed into engagement with the clutch face 85 whereby the shaft 67 is connected in driven relationship through the gear train to the motor shaft 79. R- tation of the shaft 67, as before indicated, is eifective to advance or retract the nut 43 along the screw shaft 44 whereby to raise or to lower the bed assembly. In a like manner, and by like means, the shafts 68 and 69 are selectively coupled to the motor shaft 79 whereby respectively to extend and retract the tubes 52 and 62 with a consequent adjustment of the head rest portion 19 and leg rest portion 22.

Referring to Figs. 4, and 8, the clutch shifting shafts 92 are bifurcated at that end extending through and beyond the wall 94. Carried in the bifurcated end of the shaft associated with the driven shaft 67 is an anti-fric tion roller 96 engageable with the edge of a cam plate 97 mounted for relative rotary motion on a stud 98 set vertically in a horizontal wall of the case 66. Formed in the edge of the cam plate 97 is a recess 99 normally receiving the roller 96. On opposite sides of the recess 99 are curved formations 101 and 102. Under the urging of the spring 95, the roller 96 acts as a detent in recess 99 tending to inhibit relative rotary motion of the cam plate 97. In the event of such rotary motion, however, the roller 96 is displaced from the recess 99 and effects a retracting motion of the shaft 92 thus compressing spring 95 and engaging the clutch of shaft 67. Further, motion of the cam plate 97 sufiicient to place the curved surface 101 or 102 in a common plane with the longitudinal axis of shaft 92 and with the stud 98 results in a substantially dead center position of adjustment for the parts so that the cam plate and the roller 96 are unable to return to a normal position as illustrated until the cam plate is moved by another force a suflicient distance in a rotary direction to restore the adjustment and alignment of the cam plate to the roller 96 under urging of spring 95.

The cam plate 97 and its roller 96 have the function, as noted, of controlling the clutching of the shaft 67 with the motor shaft 79. The motion of the cam plate further is utilized to energize the motor 33 and to determine the direction of rotation thereof.

Thus, a lateral opening 103 in the cam plate receives one end of an arm 104 folmingpart of a reversing switch assembly 105 connected in an electrical circuit with the motor 33 in such manner that motion of the arm 104 in one direction, as for example in response to a clockwise movement of the cam plate 97 will result in energizing the motor and in rotation thereof in one direction while movement of the arm in the opposite direction, as for example in response to a counterclockwise movement of the cam plate 97, results in energizing the motor and in rotation thereof in an opposite direction. The switch assembly is normally open, with themotor 33 deenergized. In response to a rotary increment of movement of the cam plate 97 in one direction the motor is energized and a selected forward or reverse direction of rotation imparted to the shaft 79 and thereby to the driven shafts 67, 68 and 69. A motion of the cam plate in the opposite which the clutch faces and 86 are disengaged by virtue of the engagement of roller 96 in recess 99 under the urging of spring 95.

The shaft 92 associated with the means for clutching the shaft 68 to themotor shaft 79 carries a roller 106 like the roller 96 and cooperates with a cam plate 107 and in the operation of a switch assembly 108 in the same manner that the roller 96 cooperates'with corresponding elements 97 and 105. Like parts 109, 110 and 111 are provided in connection with the shaft 92 associated with the means for clutching the shaft 69 to the motor shaft 79.

Rotary impulses for operation of the cam plate 97 are supplied thereto through a rod 112 (Fig. 4) con nected at its one end to the cam plate in an eccentric position thereon and having on its opposite end a socket 113 to receive a Bowden wire cable 114. A similar rod 115 is connected to the cam plate 107 and to one arm of a lever 116 to the other arm of which is connected a socket 117 receiving a Bowden wire cable 118. A rod 119 extends from the cam plate 110 and is connected to one arm of a lever 121, to the other ann of which is connected a socket 122 receiving a Bowden wire cable 123. The levers 121 and 116 are pivotally mounted at their mid points upon studs upstanding from an internal horizontal wall 124 of the gear case 66. The cables 114, 118 and 123 are guided by stationary tubes 125, 126 and 127 (Fig. l) to the middle of the bed and to one side thereof where at their opposite ends such cables are slidingly mounted in an upstanding wall of a bracket 128 secured to the cross bar 15. Between the bracket 128 and one of the side plates 26 defining the seat section of the bed is a control unit assembly including a recessed panel 129 closing an opening in the plate 26 from the inside thereof (Figs, 6, 7, and 11). Received in the recessed panel from the opposite side of the plate 26 is a cover member 131 having openings for the one arms of bell crank levers 132, 133 and 134. The described levers are pivotally connected at their mid points to relatively stationary brackets 135, 136 and 137 projecting from the rear of the panel 129. The opposite arms of such levers are respectively connected to the cables 114, 118 and 123. Those portions of the bell crank levers projecting through the panel 129 and through and beyond'the cover 161 thereinmay be provided with finger pieces 138 whereby the levers may more readily be grasped and manipulated to exert a push-pull effect upon a selected cable 114, 118 and 123 whereby to turn a selected cam plate 97, 107 or 110.

In order that operation of only one of. the levers 132-134 at a time may be permitted, there is provided interlocking means in the form of a plate 139 having oppositely disposed ears 141 by which it is mounted for lateral sliding motion in the panel member 129. Formed in the plate 139 are oppositely disposed openings 142 and 143 through which extend the forwardly projecting arms of levers 133 and 134. An opening 144-in the plate permits the passage of lever 132 therethrough. The

openings 142 and 143 are irregularly shaped to provide an elongated vertical portion 145 and a horizontal portion 146 on oneside only thereof connected to the vertical portion by sloping edges 147 and 148. The opening 144 is symmetrically shaped with intersecting vertical and horizontal portions 149 and 151. -A tensionspring 152 is stretched between a turned over ear indicated at 152a (Fig. 7) which projects from bracket 1 35, and a laterally or rearwardly projecting stud 153 on the locking plate 139 so that the plate tends to assume a position substantially as illustrated wherein the levers 132, 133 and 134 are in neutral intermediate positions in the respective slots 144, 142 and 143., The control levers are movable in a vertical sense from their neutral positions illustrated and it will be observed that a motion of any lever either upward or downward from its neutral position will serve to lock the other levers from motion in either direction. Upward motion of the lever 133, for example, will serve to adjust the plate 139 to the left bringing horizontal portions of the slots 143 and 144 into embracing relation with the levers therein in a manner to preclude vertical motion of these levers.

Since the control levers are directly connected to respective cam plates in the gear case section the levers tend to remain in operated position while the elevating or lowering of the bed or of selected portions thereof is in progress. Operation of the motor will cease at an time that the operated lever is returned to neutral position. To prevent over travel of the parts, as may result from failure to return a control lever to neutral position, there are provided limit control means operable automatically to restore the cam plates to neutral position. In the case of the raising and lowering of the bed proper, this means includes a bar 154 (Fig. 3) in parallel relation to the tube 42 and mounted thereon for relative longitudinal sliding motion through brackets 155. Turned over ends 156 and 157 on the bar 154 enter the tube 42 by way of elongated openings 158 and 159 therein. Within the tube, the turned over ends 156 and 157 are disposed on opposite ends of the nut 43 and are adapted to be engaged by such nut at predetermined points in its forward or extending and retracting movements whereby to shift the bar 154 longitudinally and in opposed directions depending upon whether the nut 43 is moving in an extending or a retracting direction. The longitudinal shifting motion of the bar 154 is utilized, through a plate 161 thereon, and a socket member 162 correspondingly to move a rod 163 which has one end received in and detachably secured to the socket member 162. The other end of the rod 163 has a sliding mounting in a vertical portion 164 of the horizontal gear case wall 124 as shown in Figs. 4 and 12. Between its ends, there is mounted on the rod 163 an annular collar 165 receiving a laterally projecting finger 166 on the cam plate 97. The collar 165 is loosely mounted on the rod 163. In spaced relation thereto relatively stationary collars 167 and 168 are pinned to the rod and between each stationary collar and the movable collar is a compression spring 169. Rotary adjustment of the cam plate 97, efiected by a pulling or pushing motion of the rod 112 shifts the collar 165 longitudinally along the rod 163 to place it into contact with one or the other of the springs 169. Now, should the motor 33 be permitted to continue in operation long enough to allow the nut 43 to engage the turned over end 156 or 157 of the bar 154 (Fig. 3), continued travel of the nut will shift the bar 154 in a longitudinal direction and through the spring 169 return collar 165 and through it the cam plate 97 to a normal or neutral position.

The cam plates 107 and 110 are similarly adjustable in a like manner and by like means from an operated to a neutral position. The former has a finger 171' engaged with a collar 172 on a rod 173. Springs 174 on the rod 173 are on opposite sides of the collar 172 and are effective upon longitudinal shifting of the rod 173 to return I the collar 172 and the cam plate 107 engaged therewith to a neutral position. Cam plate 110 has finger 175 engaged with a collar 176 on a rod 177,. upon which rod also are opposed springs 178. The outer end of the rod 173 is received in a socket member 179 interposed between longitudinallyspaced apart plates 181 and 182 on the exterior of the tube 52 (Fig. l). The rod 177 is connected through a lever 183 and rod extension 184 to a socket member 185 interposed between plates 186 and 187 on the tube 62. The construction and arrangement of parts, it may be seen, is such that at maximum and mimimum limits of extending and retracting movements of the tubes 52 and 62 the rods 173 and 177 are shifted in an appropriate longitudinal sense to return respective cam plates to. neutral and thereby disengage the clutch from the motor and simultaneously to deenergize the motor.

The location of the control panel mounting the control levers 132-434 is one easily accessible to the hand of the patient or person reclining on the bed. Movement of a selected lever up or down effects a corresponding motion of the bed or of a selected part thereof. By returning the lever to neutral position the operation of the motor may be discontinued at any time. Maximum limits of travel are set by the bar 153 and by the sets of abutment plates 156-157, 181-482 and 186187 as before described. The springs 169, 174 and 178 interpose a yield in the operation of the limit control mechanism precluding binding of the parts as might result from an attempt forcefully to hold a control lever operated against the action of the limit control mechanism.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type having a support for a reclining person, said support having independently'movable head rest and leg rest portions, first elevating means to raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control system comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a pluralityvof remote control actuators, means respectively mechanically interconnecting each of said actuators with one of said clutches, a plurality of motor control switches, one of said switches being associated with each of said clutches, and means for closing each of said switches upon actuation of its associated clutch, whereby operation of an actuator efiects energization of said motor and engage ment of a selected clutch.

2. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type having a support for a reclining person, said support having independently movable head rest and leg rest portrons, first elevating means to raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control system comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a plurality of remote control actuators, each of said actuators being shiftable in two directions, and means mechanically interconnecting each of said actuators with one of said clutches, each of said clutches being engaged when the associated actuator is shifted in either direction, a plurality of motor control switches, each of said switches being interconnected to one of said actuators, each of said switches having two closed positions effective to energize said motor 'for rotation in a forward or reverse direction, each of said switches being shifted to one closed position when its associated actuator is shifted in one direction and to' the second closed position when the operation of an actuator effects energization of said motor in a selected direction and engagement of a selected clutch.

3. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type having ,a support for a reclining person, said support having independently movable head. rest and leg rest-portions, first elevating means to raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control'system comprising a reversiblemotor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a plurality of remotecontrol actuators, and means mechanically interconnecting each of said actuators with one of said clutches, a plurality of motor control switches, each of said switches being respectively associated with one of said clutches and being disposed to be actuated upon actuation -of said clutch, whereby operation of an actuator efiects energization of said motor and engagement of a selected clutch, and interlock means interconnected-to said actuators, said interlock means being effective to prevent more than one actuator frombeing shifted at any one time.

4. A power control system for a-hospital bed of the type having a support for a reclining person, said support having independently movable head rest and "leg rest portions, first elevating means to raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control system comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a plurality of remote control actuators, and means mechanically interconnecting each of said actuators with one of said clutches, a-plurality of motor control switches, one of said switches being associated with each of said clutches, and means for closing said switch upon actuation of its associated clutch, whereby operation of an'actuator effects energization of said motor and engagement of a selected clutch, and cam interlock means interconnected to said actuators, said cam interlock means being effective to prevent more than one actuator from being shifted at any one time, said cam-means comprising a plate having three apertures, each of said apertures respectively receiving one of said remote control actuators, said'actuators being shifted parallel to said plate, the apertures in said cam plate being configurated whereby when one of said actuators is shifted s aid cam plate is positioned so that the other two apertures constrain the remaining actuators against movement.

5. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type having a support for a reclining person, said support having independently movable head rest and leg rest portions, first elevating means to raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said. power control system comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively intenconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a plurality of remote control actuators, and means mechanically interconnecting each of said actuators with one of said clutches, a plurality of motor control switches, each of said switches being associated with one of said clutches and being disposed to be actuated upon actuation of the associated clutch, whereby operation of an actuator effects energization of said motor and engagement of a selected clutch, and limit control means associated with said elevating means to mechanically disengage said clutches at predetermined limits of travel of said support, head rest portion and leg rest portion.

6. A power control system for a hospital bed of the typehaving a support for a reclining person, said support and lower said leg rest portion,;said power control system.

comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively intercon-.

necting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a plurality of remote control actuators, and independent means mechanically interconnecting each of said actuators with one of said clutches respectively, each of said independent means including a pivotally mounted cam, a motor control switch disposed adjacent to said cam and having a finger adapted to be actuated by said cam, said switch-being effective to energize said motor for operation in a for-ward or reverse direction, whereby operationof an actuator is efiective to actuate a clutch through said cam while simultaneously causing said motor to be energized for rotation in a selected direction.

7. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type having a support for a reclining person, said support having independently movable head rest and leg rest portions, first elevating meansto raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control system comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a plurality of remote control actuators, and independent means mechanically interconnecting each of said actuators with one of said clutches respectively, each of said independent means including a pivotally mounted cam, a motor control switch disposed adjacent to said cam and having a finger adapted to be actuated by said cam, said switch being effective to energize said motor for operation in a forward or reverse direction, whereby operation of an actuator is effective to actuate a clutch through said cam while simultaneously causing said motor to be energized for rotation'in a'selected direction, and .alimit control means associated with each of said elevating mechanisms and respectively interconnected with the clutches associated with the elevating mechanisms, each of said limit control means being effective to return its associated clutch -to a disengaged position at predetermined points of travel of said support and said head and leg rest portions. T I

8. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type having a support for a reclining person, said sup port having independently movable head rest and leg rest portions, first elevating means to raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control system comprising a reversible motor, first,second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a plurality of remote control actuators, and independent means mechanically interconnecting each of said actuators with one of said clutches, each of said means including a pivotally mounted cam, a cable interconnecting the actuators to said cam so that movement of said cable is effective to pivot said cam, a link interconnecting said cam and said clutch, a motor control switch, said switch being disposed adjacent to said cam andhaving a finger adapted to be actuated by said cam, said switch being efiective to energize said motor for operation in a forward or reverse direction, whereby operation of an actuator is eifective to pivot said cam and thereby actuate a clutch, while simultaneously closing a switch and thereby causing said motor to be energized for rotation in a selected direction.

9. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type including a support for a reclining person, said support having independently movable head rest and leg rest portions, first elevating means to raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control system comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third manually operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a cam plate associated with each of said clutches, each of said cam plates being pivotally mounted, a follower disposed adjacent to each of said cam plates in engagement therewith and in mechanical connection with one of said clutches, each of said cam plates being effective upon pivotal motion to displace its associated follower from a neutral position to a position in which said follower is effective to engage the clutch associated therewith, control levers respectively interconnected to each of said cam plates, a plurality of flexible cables, each of said flexible cables being interconnected with one of said control levers, and a plurality of actuators respectively interconnected to said cables, said actuators being mounted upon a readily accessible control panel and switch means actuated by said cams for controlling said motor. I

10. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type including a support for a reclining person, said support having independently movable head rest and leg rest portions, first elevating means to raise and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control system comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a cam plate associated with each of said clutches, each of said cam plates being pivotally mounted, a follower disposed adjacent to each of said cam plates in engagement therewith, each of said cam plates being eifective upon pivotal motion to displace a follower from a neutral position to the position in which said follower is effective to engage the clutch associated therewith, a plurality of flexible cables, one of said flexible cables being interconnected with each of said cam plates, and a plurality of actuators respectively interconnected to said cables, said actuators being mounted upon a readily accessible control panel, and switch means actuated by said cams for controlling said motor.

11. A power control system for a hospital bed of the type including a support for a reclining person, said sup port having independently movable head rest and leg rest portions, first elevating means to raise .and lower said support, second elevating means to raise and lower said head rest portion, and third elevating means to raise and lower said leg rest portion, said power control system comprising a reversible motor, first, second and third mechanically operated clutches for respectively interconnecting said motor to said first, second and third elevating means, a cam plate associated with each of said clutches, each of said cam plates being'pivotally mounted, a follower disposed adjacent to each of said cam plates in engagement therewith, each of said cam plates being efiective upon pivotal motion to displace the associated follower from a neutral position to the position in which said follower is effective to engage the clutch associated therewith, a flexible cable interconnected with each of-said cam plates, and a plurality of actuators respectively interconnected to said cables, said actuators being mounted upon a readily accessible control panel, switch means actuated by said cams for controlling said motor, and limit control means associated With each of said elevating means and disposed for respective engagement with said cams, said limit control means being effective to shift said cams to a neutral position upon predetermined displacement of said support, head rest and legrest.

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